Voltaire — To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Australia: A rabbi has appeared in court over allegations that he sexually assaulted three boys at Yeshivah College in St Kilda East between 1990 and 1992

David Kramer, 52 – who was extradited from Missouri – appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody until January 18, 2013. He did not apply for bail. As he was led from the court, a member of the gallery yelled out "welcome back to Australia, Rabbi Kramer". Deputy Chief Magistrate Felicity Broughton heard that Kramer had been charged with 10 counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecent acts with a child under the age of 16. It is understood Rabbi Kramer, a US national, has spent time in Israel and in the American Midwest, where he was volunteering as a synagogue youth leader. He left Australia in 1993 after parents at Yeshivah – a Jewish orthodox school – raised concerns about his behavior. Kramer was surrendered by US authorities in response to an Australian extradition request. Upon arrival, he was arrested and charged by Moorabbin Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives. Yeshivah College apologized to victims of child-sex abuse earlier in 2012 after allegations that multiple students were molested by trusted members of the school community. "We understand and appreciate that there are victims who feel aggrieved and we sincerely and unreservedly apologize for any historical wrongs that may have occurred," stated the letter, which was signed by members of the Yeshivah College executive.